300 



ATHEROSPERMACEiE. 



[Diclinous Exogens. 



Order C. ATHEROSPERMACE^.— Plume Nutmegs. 



Atherospermeae, R. Brown in Flinders, 553. (1814) ; Arnott in Edinb. Encycl. 130. 

 Diagnosis. — Menispermal Exogens, with anthers opening hy recurved valves. 

 Trees. Leaves opposite, without stipules. Flowers axillary in short racemes, with 

 lai'ge deciduous bracts, ^ ^ (or 0). Calyx tubulai-, divided at the top into several 



segments, usually placed in two rows, 

 the inner of which is partly petaloid ; to 

 these are superadded in the $ flowers 

 some abortive stamens in the form of 

 scales. Stamens in the ^ very nvune- 

 rous in the bottom of the calyx ; in the 

 $ fewer, and arising from the orifice of 

 the calyx ; anthers adnate, 2-celled, 

 bm'sting with a valve which separates 

 from the base to the apex ; filaments 

 with a pair of scales at their base. 

 Ovaries several, usually indefinite, each 

 with a single erect o\ade ; styles simple, 

 ai'ismg either from the side or the base ; 

 stigmas simple. Nuts inclosed in the 

 tube of the calyx, with the adherent 

 styles converted mto feathery awns. 

 Seed solitary, erect ; embryo minute, 

 erect, at the base of soft fleshy albumen, 

 with divaricating cotyledons ; radicle 

 inferior. 



Although the anthers of this Order 

 are the same as those of Lam'els and 

 Berbei'ries, and notwithstanding that 

 Fig. CCVII, ^* agrees with the former in its aro- 



matic odom', yet it seems to stand in the 

 nearest relationship to Monimiads, with which it is even combined 

 by Jussieu, Bartlmg, and Endhcher. It differs, however, in the 

 position of the o^'^lle, and the structui'e of the anthers, and is pro- 

 bably a nucleus around which other genera will be hereafter col- 

 lected. 



The Austrahan continent produces two of the genera ; LaureUa 

 belongs to Cliile. 



All the species seem to be fragrant. The wood of Doryphora 

 Sassafras, called Sassafras in New Holland, is said to smell Uke 

 Fennel. The nuts of Laureha are described as possessing the fra- 

 grance of the Nutmeg. Mr. Backhouse gives the followuig account 

 of Atherosperma moschata. " This foi-ms a very beautiful tree in 

 many parts of the colony, attaining to a height of 150 feet, and is 

 from 6 to 7 feet in cu'cumference. Its mode of growth resembles 

 many Coniferee, in being conical, and in having all its branches of 

 the same year's growth, radiating from one point on the trimk. 

 A decoction of the bark, either when in its green state or after hav- 

 ing been dried, is used in many remote parts of the colony as a sub- 

 stitute for tea, and, when taken with plenty of milk, has a pleasant 

 taste. Its eflFects are, however, sUghtly aperient." 



GENERA. 



Atherosperma, Labill. I Thiga, Molina. 



Laurelia, Juss. Doryphora, Endl. 



Pavonia, Ruiz. | 



Numbers. Gen. 3. Sp. 4. 

 Lauracece. 

 Position. — Monimiaceae. — Atherospermace^.- 

 Calyca7ithacece. 



Fig, CCVII.— Atherosperma moschata. 



Fig. CCVlII.—l. carpel; 2. stamen of Dorj-plioi'a Sassafr&s.—Endlicher. 



Fig. covin. 



-Myristicaceae. 



